Andy Robertson credits Jordan Henderson's team talk for Liverpool win over Villarreal

Andy Robertson has paid tribute to Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson for his half-time team talk which helped the side overcome Villarreal on Wednesday night.

Liverpool completed a dominant 2-0 win over Unai Emery’s side at Anfield to make them big favourites to progress in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final. But they were far from assured of victory at half-time after Villarreal had kept the home team out and left the home fans frustrated with their low block.

Jurgen Klopp’s side came in at the break at 0-0, with Thiago Alcantara’s long-range effort onto the post the closest they had come to scoring from their 13 efforts at goal. Liverpool did not panic and were rewarded with two goals in two second-half minutes.

Henderson’s cross deflected off Pervis Estupinan and over goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli to make it 1-0 in the 53rd minute. Sadio Mane then poked home a second from Mohamed Salah’s pass through Pau Torres’ legs to give Liverpool complete control which they never surrendered.

Speaking to BT Sport shortly after the match, Robertson said the message at half-time was not to get frustrated when coming up against Villarreal’s yellow wall. He said: “Yeah, that was the message from Hendo and the gaffer at half time, just saying we were playing well, some of the best stuff we have played this season and we didn’t get a goal for it. But we stayed patient, got that first goal and managed to get that breakthrough.”

Liverpool pressed high up the pitch to smother Villarreal, who failed to trouble Alisson all night, or even have a single shot on target. Emery’s side continued to try and play out from the back from goal-kicks, but consistently lost possession in dangerous areas due to Liverpool’s intensity. That